Letters to the editor

The schools' labor pact: pro and con

Regarding “For schools or labor” (Opinion, Jan. 29):

I think the question is flawed. San Diego Unified's decision to negotiate an agreement for labor standards is not about choosing one at the expense of the other. Creating good jobs and investing in the human capital of local residents are important outcomes. It's not easy to balance building, labor and environmental needs, but I thought this was prudent decision with a vision for longer-term prosperity.

QUYNH NGUYEN
San Diego

The antidote for our current situation in which union interests though a small minority wind up with majority representation on our school board and City Council is simple. In all future elections, just look at the voter guide and see which candidates are supported by the unions and vote for someone else.

CHARLES RILEY
San Diego

Too many students still can't write

The state may want all middle school students to take algebra, but what the Board of Education doesn't realize is that most middle school students don't know mental arithmetic: i.e., how to add, subtract, multiply or divide quickly and correctly (without a calculator). Just ask any middle school student, or even any high school student, how many ounces are in a pound or how many weeks in a year (common answer, 48). When asked what 5 plus 8 is, all too many have to count on their fingers.

The state keeps raising the bar, and what good has it done? We need to go back to basics in elementary school and have students work their way up from there. Most high school students have to read “Of Mice and Men,” yet too many cannot write a grammatically correct sentence. Many do not even know how to write in cursive. I know, I teach in a high school.

ALLEN STANKO
Alpine

Infrastructure funds could aid solar

Might citizens, businesses, cities and the state quickly apply the funds from the federal infrastructure rehabilitation program(s) to subsidize solar panels for every roof? With the cooperation of San Diego Gas & Electric Co., we could save the economic and environmental costs of Sunrise Powerlink.

ELIZABETH BRANSTROM
GEORGE ELLISON
San Diego

President's move on emissions welcomed

It was so refreshing to read about President Barack Obama clearing the way for stricter regulations on tailpipe emissions. After decades of failing to deliver, this will finally force Detroit to give the people what they want, and our environment what it needs. Lower emissions mean more efficient vehicles, which will mean an estimated monthly savings of $30 for Californians. Let us hope that from here on out science and not special interests will be in the driver's seat in America.